Chapter 2 FINALLY, SHE FIGHTS BACK (II)
HAYLEY
I try to respond but she beats me to it, wagging a crooked finger in my face.
“Listen to me, Hayley. You’re nothing but a low-budget tramp, a stain on the prestigious name of our family. You’re lucky that you’re my brother’s wife, otherwise…!”
“Otherwise what?” I lean back in my chair, a corner of my lips tipping in a lazy smirk as I take in her petite frame.
“Don’t forget you’re travel-size, Donatella. I would fold you like a pretzel and shove your ass into my pocket before you even got the chance to raise that tiny fist.”
“Enough!” This is coming from Grandma Rennah, the matriarch of the family.
The room goes still again, this time charged with burning rage and unspoken words.
Donatella plops back into her seat, those dark eyes brimming with animosity and still narrowed on me.
“Why can’t we have a peaceful family gathering for once without all the hollering and bickering?”
The fight drains out of me instantly. My cheeks redden with shame at the disappointment in Grandma Rennah’s tone.
She’s one of the few members of the DaSilva family who never treats me like a second-hand slave.
“My sincere apologies, grandma.”
She gives me a frosty look.
“Not right now, lil’ girl. Tell us why you called us here. What are we celebrating?”
A sharp, painful twinge blooms in my chest as I stare longingly at the empty doorway.
Edward is still not here.
I am celebrating a milestone in my career today. And my husband, the most important person in my life, is absent.
He promised me. Edward swore he wouldn’t miss this dinner for anything. But an hour ago, he called to “inform” me that something came up.
I should be used to the disappointment by now, but my throat still tightens painfully and my heart cracks nevertheless. I hate this. How long will I continue to live like this?
Taking a deep, shaky breath, I lift my chin and force a smile.
“I want to announce to all of you that I participated in the International Hackathon and won the gold prize! I even got a trophy.”
I’m not sure what I expected, but the cold faces and even colder silence from the DaSilva family was definitely not it.
Three seconds later, a high-pitched voice rents the air, followed by the pitter-patter of little hands jamming in applause.
“Yayyy!!! Mommy is so smart! Congratulations, mommy!”
Grandma Rennah gives me a warm smile.
“Congratulations, my love. I knew you would win.”
I barely get the chance to respond when a venomous voice cuts me off. Donatella.
“Aw, look here everyone! Hayley tapped a few keys on her rusty computer and won a stupid trophy! Let’s all bow in adoration, shall we? Is this why you called us out here?”
Her words hit me like a punch to the guts. Why does she hate me so much?
“I don’t understand your anger, Dona. Just last week, you hit 30,000 followers on Instagram and made us throw a big party to celebrate. What’s wrong with celebrating my trophy?”
“That’s the thing about you, Hayley,” Aunt Susan sneers, “you’re too stubborn for your good!
I see why my nephew refused to attend this stupid party. Haven’t I told you to toss that hacking career or whatever you call it into the trash? A married woman is supposed to devote her time fully to her family, not have her head buried in a laptop all the time!
No wonder Edward chose to attend Victoria Stone’s party.”
I freeze, all traces of argument turning to dust in my throat.
“Wh-what did you say?”
Edward would never do such a thing. He’s busy at work.
He wouldn’t abandon me to attend another woman’s party? Right?
“Are you deaf?” Dona snickers, shoving her iPad screen in my face, “my brother would rather spend his precious time with a woman who actually adds value to his life than waste it on you.”
My eyes fall to the screen.
I lean forward, my heart thundering loudly as I take in the horrific scene playing out in front of me.
True to Donatella’s words, Edward appears to be present at a party. But what catches my attention is the gorgeous, raven-haired woman who leans into him, her fingers intimately skimming his suit, right above his chest.
She’s none other than Victoria Stone.
My very own friend and Edward’s childhood sweetheart.
TWO HOURS LATER...
Whoever said the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach must’ve been high on expired crack. Because I threw it down in the kitchen day and night, making the best meals for Edward, being the perfect submissive wife, and how did he repay me?
He chose to attend the birthday party of his childhood sweetheart while I waited for him at home, once again abandoned.
I shouldn’t be here. But I’ve lost count of the number of times I tried to call my husband.
Every single call got sent to voicemail. And each time I heard that cold, generic voice, my heart died a little more.
After the DaSilva family literally ruined my dinner party, Grandma Rennah advised that I go to bed and speak to Edward tomorrow. As always, I was expected to wait at home like the perfect little wife while my husband had his fun.
But did I listen? Absolutely not...
